Woodblock Printing Technique in Dege Scripture Printing House

 Situated in Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze in Sichuan Province, Dege County, although endowed with an appealing landscape, is secluded from the outside by snow-capped mountains. Its seclusion, however, to a large extent contributes to the survival of traditional culture. Dege Scripture Printing House, credited as 'the encyclopedia of Tibetan culture,' is among the most well-protected in the region.

Dege Scripture Printing House is the largest traditional press in the Tibetan area of China, and it stores an estimated 70 per cent of Tibetan literary heritage. The subjects of its collection fall into a dozen categories, including Buddhist classics, medicine, mathematics, and literature. The construction of the press began in 1729, but the woodblock printing practice actually appeared in the region in 1703 with the financial support of local government officials.